Opposition Accuses Govt of Running Scam in Freedom 251 Controversy

Congress calls ‘Freedom 251’ smartphone scheme a “fraud”, objects to the presence of BJP leaders at its launch.

BJP Senior leader Murli Manohar Joshi, Director of Ringing Bells, Mohit Goel and CEO, Dhaarna Goel during the launch of Smartphone-Ringing Bells Freedom 251 on 17 February. (Photo: PTI, altered by The Quint)

Alleging that ‘Freedom 251’ smartphone scheme was a “fraud”, Congress MP Pramod Tiwari in Rajya Sabha, on Friday, strongly objected to the presence of BJP leaders at the launch of the scheme to sell smartphones at a price of Rs 251 and sought a reply from the government.

He said six crore bookings have already been made for the phone and even at the rate of Rs 251 each, the mobile company must have collected hundreds of crores of rupees.

Demanding that the money collected by the company should be kept secure, Tiwari said even the Director of the company has said that the minimum cost of the phone is Rs 1400 and wondered how can the gadget be then sold at just Rs 251.

Tiwari said if it is possible to get a phone at Rs 251, then how can others are charging Rs 20,000 to Rs 30,000 for a mobile set.

Soon after the launch ceremony where veteran BJP leader Murli Manohar Joshi was present, doubts were raised about the genuineness of the company’s claim to provide phone at the rate of Rs 251.

Also read:
Freedom 251: ‘Cheapest Phone in the World’ or a Cheap Trick?
Is Ringing Bells Conning Customers With the Freedom 251?